Box toes softener



July 5, 1938. R. ST. HlLAlRE BOX TOES SOFTENER Filed Nov. 22, 1937 ,f. 2 2 w W 711 2% N\ \w 2 N W 11 Z 1 M w f k m w m RN w w NH; v &w%

Patented July 5, 1938 PATENT OFFICE I BOX TOES SOFTE-NER Rodolphe St. Hilaire, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Application November 22, 1937, Serial No. 175,891

5 Claims.

Thepresent invention pertains to a novel device for softening the box toes of shoes. The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and efiicient device of this character having safety features preventing the development of excessive steam pressure and also having conveniently adjustable supports for the lasts carrying the shoes to be treated.

'I'he device comprises essentially a receptacle with means for supplying or generating steafn therein. The receptacle has one or more openingsof proper shape to receive the toe of the shoe. At the lower edge of each opening are provided spaced parallel teeth which permit escape of steam notwithstanding the insertion of the shoes in theopenings. In one stage of the operation, the toe of the shoe is wrapped in a curtain and inserted in the opening. In order to prevent blocking of the interdental spaces by this curtain, the'teeth project forwardly from the receptacle so that escape means is available between the projecting portions of the teeth although the front ends of the spaces may be covered'by the curtain.

' In the preferred embodiment, water-is supplied to the bottom of the receptacle from an inverted water bottle fitted with a level control cup in the usual manner. The water is converted to steam by an electrical'or gas heater within the receptacle.

The invention further includes supports for the lasts carrying the shoes, with means for adjusting the position of these supports vertically and horizontally with respect to the receptacle. There is also a convenient support for the aforementioned curtain.

Outlet slots extend from the openings to provide an additional means for relief of excessive steam pressure. The slots are normally closed by a cover which is manually movable to an open position and also held down by a spring which permits automatic lifting of the cover under excessive steam pressure.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device;

Figure 2 is' a front elevation;

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the water bottle support;

Figure 4 is a detail vertical section at the upper end, and

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view at the upper end.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts.

The body of the device comprises a receptacle I supported on a foot 2. This receptacle is comparatively broad across the front in comparison with the width at the ends as may be seen in Figures 1 and 2. The top and bottom are rounded outwardly across the sides as indicated by the numerals 3 and 4. In the lower rounded portion 4 is an electrical heating element 5, inserted through one of the narrow ends and fitted externally with a control switch 6.

On the front side of the receptacle a pair of openings 1 are formed in the rounded portion 3. These openings are substantially semi-circular in order to receive the toe of a shoe, as illustrated in Figure 4 and described in detail below. Along the bottom edge of each opening are formed a number of spaced teeth 8 standing up from said edge and also projecting outwardly therefrom as may be seen in Figures 4 and 5.

On" the forward wall of the receptacle I- are mounted a pair of spaced, vertical guides 9 in which is slidably mounted a fork ID. The latter is secured in adjusted position on the receptacle I by a headed bolt I I engaging a disc I2, the bolt being threaded into a boss I3 formed integrally on the inner front wall of the receptacle, as illustrated in Figure 1. At the upper end of the fork I 0 is formed another boss I4 into which is screwed a stem I5 extending forwardly from the receptacle I.

A collar I6 is slidably mounted on the stem I5, and from the collar extends a horizontal cross arm IT in both directions. The ends of the cross arm carry yokes I8 disposed directly beneath the openings 1 and adapted to support shoe lasts, as will presently appear. The position of the supports I8 on the stem I5 is adjusted and secured by a set screw I9 in the collar I6. It will be evident that the bolt I I permits Vertical adjustment of the yokes I8 in addition to the horizontal adjustment along the stem I5.

At the other side of the receptacle I is a yoke having a perpendicular fork 2I extending from one end thereof. At the fork, this device is held to the receptacle by a bolt 22 entering a boss 23 formed integrally within the receptacle. The sides of the yoke 20 are fitted with rubber sleaves 24 between boss 24 to provide a cushioned support for a water bottle 25 mounted invertedly therein, as illustrated in Figure 1. The neck 26 of the bottle enters a conventional level cup 21 supported by pipes 28 leading to the bottom of the receptacle I. The cup 21 is of a well known construction permitting a water depth of about 1 inch therein, and a corresponding water level in the receptacle l. The water level in the cup and receptacle is determined by the position of the bottle neck 26 which is adjustable by means of the fork 2| and bolt 22.

Slightly above the openings 1 and between them is formed a short stem 29 extending from the forward wall of the receptacle. Through the stem 29 is passed a horizontal rod 30 for a purpose which will presently appear. The rod is held rigidly by a set screw 3|.

In the upper forward wall of the receptacle are formed passages 32 extending from the tops of the openings 1 and covered at their upper ends by a cover plate 33. The latter turns on a bolt 34 screwed into the body of the receptacle and is held down by a coil spring 35 surrounding the bolt. Lugs 36 are formed on the ends of the plate 33 whereby the latter may be turned to un cover the slots 32 to the desired extent.

A vertical vent tube 31 extends upwardly from the lower portion of the receptacle l to a point above the usual water level therein. At the bottom of the receptacle is provided a drain cock 38 for emptying. It will be understood that the electric heating element 5 may be replaced by a gas burner in the nature of a perforated pipe occupying the position of the heating element shown.

In the operation of the device, the box toes to be softened are inserted in the openings 1 in which they fit, as shown in Figure 4, the shoes being carried on lasts (not shown) supported on the yokes [8. The water heated in the receptacle I produces steam which envelopes the toes and thereby softens them. Within the receptacle and beneath the openings is formed a deflector plate 39 integral with the receptacle at the ends but spaced from the side walls as indicated by the numeral 40 in Figure 4. This prevents the major portion of the steam from striking the sole of the shoe and induces a circuitous path which is more favorable for the desired action.

When the leather becomes partly softened, the shoe is Withdrawn, and a canvas curtain 4! hanging from the rod 30 is thrown across the opening 1. The shoe is again inserted, wrapped in the curtain, for further treatment.

Neither the shoe itself nor the shoe wrapped in the curtain can entirely obstruct the opening 1 because of the teeth 8 which provide intervening spaces for escape of steam. Even if the curtain hangs downwardly across the front ends of the teeth, there is still an outlet from the intervening spaces because of the forward projection of the teeth from the front wall of the receptacle, as previously set forth. If however, the steam pressure becomes excessive or there is too much heat, further relief may be provided by opening the cover 33 as previously described or by the automatic lifting of the cover as permitted by the spring 35.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A box toe softener comprising a receptacle, means for furnishing steam therein, said receptacle having an opening to receive the toe of a shoe, and spaced teeth formed on the edge of said opening.

2. A box toe softener comprising a receptacle,

means for furnishing steam therein, said receptacle having an opening to receive the toe of a shoe, and spaced teeth formed on the lower edge of said opening, said teeth projecting forwardly from said receptacle.

' 3. A box toe softener comprising a receptacle, means for furnishing steam therein, said receptacle having an opening to receive the toe of a shoe, spaced teeth formed on the edge of said opening and a rod supported horizontally above said opening and adapted for the suspension of a curtain over said opening.

4. A box toe softener comprising a receptacle, means for furnishing steam therein, said receptacle having an opening to receive the toe of a shoe, spaced teeth formed on the edge of said opening, and a vent tube extending upwardly from the lower portion of said receptacle.

5. A box toe softener comprising a receptacle, means for furnishing steam therein, said receptacle having an opening to receive the toe of a shoe,and spaced teeth formed on the edge of said opening, and shoe last supports adjustably mounted on said receptacle below said opening.

RODOLPHE ST. HILAIRE. 

